Bristol and Bath both name 24 man squads

Key role
By Duncan Wood
November 22 2002

Bristol and Bath have both named 24 man squads ahead of Sunday. Both teams are hoping that international players will come through Saturday games unscathed and be able to take part in the league game on Sunday.

It's been a fairly low key build up to this weekend's Bath vs Bristol derby.

Maybe it's becasue both teams are langushing in the lower reaches of the table. Maybe it's because there are so many internationals taking place this weekend.

It's a shame that, once again, this fixture has been affected by international call ups. The 1999 game in Bristol was affected by the World Cup and the 2000 and 2001 fixtures were scheduled at the time of the autumn internationals as indeed this weekend's game is.

Bristol will have almost half their backline missing with Phil Christophers playing for England against South Africa and Felipe Contepomi and Agustin Pichot will be playing for Argentina against Soutth Africa although they have offered to fly back and sit on the bench.

Bearing this offer in mind, the Bristol squad has been named as follows:

Lee Best, Brendon Daniel, Matt Carrington, Andrew Higgins, Martin Shaw, Daryl Gibson, David Rees, Paul Hodgson, Shane Drahm, Felipe Contepomi, Peter Richards, Agustin Pichot, Emiliano Bergamaschi, Richard Skuse, Saul Nelson, Paul Johnstone, Darren Crompton, Garath Archer, Scott Morgan, Alex Brown, Ben Sturnham, Matt Salter, Craig Short, Rhys Oakley.

It's a 24 man squad with the team being named shortly before kickoff which presumably means that Peter Thorburn will wait and see how the Pumas come through their game on Saturday.

If they are to be in with a shout on Sunday, Bristol will have to sort out their lineout where, according to the Evening Post, they only won 7 out of 20 on their own throw last week against London Irish. Steve Borthwick will be a test.

Ironically, given Bath's strength in recent years, it's their backs who look inexperienced up against Bristol's. Gibson and Higgins will certainly be a handful for Davey and Crockett and, despite Christopher's absence, Bristol still have a couple of useful wingers in Rees and Daniel.

Bath have also named a 24 man squad with Mike Tindall and Danny Grewcock included despite being in the England 22.

Backs: Matt Perry, Rob Thirlby, Simon Danielli, Tom Voyce, Olly Barkley, Alex Crockett, Spencer Davey, Mike Tindall, Chris Malone, Andy Williams, Ross Blake

Forwards: Dave Barnes, John Mallett, Alessio Galasso, Jonathan Humphreys, Lee Mears, Steve Borthwick, Dan Lyle, Jonathan Pendlebury, James Scaysbrook, Andy Beattie, Nathan Thomas, Andy Lloyd, Danny Grewcock

There's no Mike Catt but Matt Perry and Olly Barkley have overcome injury. There are also 2 former Bristol U21s in Ross Blake and Simon Danielli.

It should be a good one!